Force to fit officers with tracking devices

Police officers are to be given tracking devices so that bosses can monitor their whereabouts.

Norfolk Police said they would introduce the technology later this year to help cut response times and improve the safety of staff.

The county’s Police Federation, a union which represents officers, said it supported the move – but warned it should not be used in a “Big Brother spying context”.

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Norfolk Police Authority said the force appeared to be “leading the way” in adopting the Automatic Person Location System (APLS), which is fitted to officers’ radios.

Superintendent Stuart Gunn, of Norfolk Police, said: “Knowing the exact locations of our officers will allow us to send the nearest, most appropriate officer to emergency calls, providing a more effective deployment.

“If an officer is in a difficult or vulnerable situation the controller can identify the next nearest and quickest available officer and send them to their aid.”